Interim Chicago police Superintendent Charlie Beck announced that decision at Police Headquarters during an event to thank donors whose contributions have aided officers during the outbreak.

Advertisement

The officer, Marco DiFranco, 50, died early Thursday at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was assigned to the citywide narcotics unit and was hired as a Chicago cop in 1998, police said.

“And because of that his family will continue to have the protections of the Chicago Police Department," Beck said of the benefits decision. "They will not be destitute. They will be taken care of. They will continue to be a part of the CPD family.”

Advertisement

Beck did not say how DiFranco contracted the disease. But he said the determination of classifying DiFranco’s death as in the line of duty comes as the officer and other first responders have been tasked with working in conditions that can put them at greater risk of becoming infected than the general public.

Recipients of line of duty death benefits receive the deceased officer’s annual salary for a year from the time of the officer’s death, and pending approval of the City Council, the spouse and any children under 26 would get health care benefits, according to the mayor’s office. From there, the officer’s family would be eligible to receive the officer’s pension, pending approval from city’s police pension fund, the mayor’s office said. CPD also gives the deceased officer a full honors funeral, which in DiFranco’s case would be planned around social distancing restrictions, CPD said.

What’s more, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation plans to give $60,000 to DiFranco’s family next week and cover school tuition for his two young children from now through college.

At last report there were more than 70 Chicago police officers and two civilian department employees who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Officials said additional decisions about benefits in any future cases that might take a turn for the worst would be made individually.

As of Friday, police officials said there were about 1,000 CPD officers and civilian employees combined on sick leave, which is about 7% of the department.

Breaking News Newsletter

As it happens

Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our breaking email alerts

“I watch that everyday. I don’t have the numbers written down. They’re ingrained in my soul,” Beck said.

The CPD employees out sick have wide-ranging ailments, officials said, but the increased numbers were likely due to employees who took time off for precautionary measures because of the coronavirus,

Also attending the event Friday was David Brown, the former Dallas police chief who is Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s choice to lead the 13,000-strong department after Beck’s expected departure in two weeks. Brown must be voted into the position at an upcoming City Council meeting.

Asked about his first priority as superintendent, Brown said he wants to convey to the rank and file that he cares about them. “I sincerely care about right now the virus’ impact on them and their lives and their families’ lives.”

Secondly, he wants to focus on the upcoming summer months, when the potential for violence in Chicago is at its highest. This means executing Beck’s reorganization of the department, designed to put more officers, including detectives, into the hands of area deputy chiefs and district commanders so they can fight crime on the ground more efficiently.